Doctor Who: Season 8, Episode 2

Doctor Who

Episode: “Into the Dalek”

Channel: BBC

Director: Ben Wheatley

Writer: Phil Ford

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Runtime: 45 min

Rated: TV-PG

Original Air Date: August 30, 2014

I don't like Daleks. Maybe that makes me a bad Doctor Who fan, or maybe there's more of that sentiment floating around out there than I know. Honestly, I cringe when the title of an episode tells me that Daleks will be involved. I know they've been a mainstay of the series, and are supposed to be the Doctor's greatest enemies. They're also one-dimensional and irritating.

The Doctor and Clara go on their adventure, with a couple of disposable 'redshirts' and another soldier. There's another scene of 'heaven' and it seems that some one or thing is holding the Doctor's body count against him. Capaldi's Doctor seems more plagued by introspection and self-doubt than the previous incarnations. Sure they had moments, but it seems to be a running theme with him. I think it's an interesting way to tackle the position he's in, with as many important decisions as he's forced to make, the ones that don't work out are probably the ones that weigh on him the most. It's quite paradoxical that the oldest seeming Doctor that we've seen in quite a while is the one that is in the process of the most self discovery.

The Doctor also has a strong distaste for soldiers, refusing the company of one. This should provide some intriguing situations going forward, if the rumors of this season's additional Companion are true. The highlights of “Into the Dalek” for me were the scenes sans Dalek. The Doctor is unsure of himself and what makes up the core of his being, and is receiving differing opinions from those around him. I'm not sure if this is a theme that should continue for an entire season, but it seems like a good place to start.

Conclusion: My distaste for Daleks causes this episode to be less fun than it could have been, though the Dalek's final words to the Doctor were quite chilling. The 'heaven' scenes are clearly the direction the main arc of the season are going, but there hasn't been enough information presented thus far for me to have formed an opinion. The Doctor's lack of confidence in himself plays well for now, with a new Doctor trying to find his feet, but may become grating after some time.

Rating: 7/10